The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
Episode: The Billy Goat Tongue
Date: November 25, 2025
Hosts: Joey Coco Diaz & Lee Syatt
Location: Live from NYC
Episode Overview
In this candid and hilarious episode, Joey Diaz and Lee Syatt catch up live from New York City during Thanksgiving week. They reflect on their evolving lives, the realities of comedy careers, and growing older—intertwining stories about the changing entertainment landscape, personal development, and the familiarity of friendship. Joey opens up about stepping back from the grind, finding joy in simple pleasures, and the real motivations behind stand-up comedy, while Lee shares milestones from his own journey as a comic. The episode is packed with memorable anecdotes, career wisdom, and the crude, honest humor the duo is known for.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Reflecting on the End of the Year & Taking Time Off
- Joey shares he’s celebrating 16 years of marriage and finally enjoying the holiday season—long gone are the days of shopping or hectic schedules ([00:03]–[01:20]).
- He announces a hiatus after early December, planning to take time for himself, work out, smoke dope, and focus on mental health ([01:15]–[01:55]).
Quote:
“I'm an old man. I've already done everything during the holidays. I ain't shopping, I ain't doing nothing, not even Amazon. I'm working out, I'm fucking smoking dope and I'm just waking up and going to bed. That's it. Zero fucks.”
— Joey Diaz, [01:17]
The Changing Pace of Life & Social Expectations
- Joey observes how neighborhoods, especially his old New Jersey stomping grounds, used to be social hives during the day, now rendered quiet:
“Now you can't find the motherfucker unless you drive down Berger Line Avenue and you might see somebody from fucking... when you played CYO ball or some shit.” ([02:11]–[03:39])
- There's an acceptance that being home, reading random things online (“benefits of peptides”), and avoiding the crowd are his new norm.
Stand-Up as a Hobby, Not a Grind
- Joey reframes stand-up as a hobby instead of a career: he's embracing local gigs, not touring aggressively, posting show flyers with “no links, nothing” ([08:29]–[09:14]).
- There’s a sense of finally reclaiming autonomy after decades of hustling for others’ approval.
Quote:
"Listen, this is what's going on this month. Take it or leave, man."
— Joey Diaz, [08:35]
Navigating Success, Burnout, and the Comedy Industry
- Joey describes how after 27 years of nearly non-stop touring, he was simply burnt out ([17:48]–[19:44]).
- He takes a hard stance on show business pressures, fake personas, and the nonsense culture around comics needing to be “on” for everything—not just the stage ([20:36]–[21:47]).
- The recent economic climate, the post-pandemic slowdown, and increased competition mean fewer gigs, less travel, and more comics chasing the same nickel ([32:20]–[34:34]).
Quote:
"This is what needs to be done now... at one time you go, you know what? I'm not doing this no more."
— Joey Diaz, [14:00]
Comedy Craft: Growth, Boundaries, and Honesty
- Lee shares his nerves about asking for gigs and navigating New York’s club scene; he recently spoke up and got spots, realizing “speaking up is one of the hardest things.”
- Joey gives advice on career boundaries—advocating for “elevating yourself” by refusing to work undesirable spots, and letting the right opportunities find you ([27:17]–[29:06]).
Quote:
“In life, you elevate yourself... at one point, it's like anything else in life. How much longer can I take this abuse for? Right? Okay, so now instead of taking abuse, I'm gonna give a little abuse, and I'm gonna learn how to work a little smarter.”
— Joey Diaz, [26:53]
- Joey advises Lee not to fear letting jokes develop over years and to embrace life’s changes, especially as Lee approaches marriage ([74:25]–[74:50]).
Hobbies, Health, and Life Outside Comedy
- Joey discusses seeking new hobbies, from learning about live probiotics (“Coconut Cult”) to considering adult education classes, but only in-person—“I'm too stupid to do it online, all right? I need to ask questions.” ([10:56]–[12:33], [11:09])
- Family time is a huge focus. Joey emphasizes these days, half his time goes into being present for his daughter.
Real Talk: Drugs, Sex, and Living Unfiltered
- Joey reminisces about his wild years on the road—cocaine, sexual misadventures, embracing the grimy side of the stand-up life ([61:12]–[66:23]).
- The “billy goat tongue” story emerges when Lee recounts a hookup that led to a tongue infection, and Joey one-ups him with “I've stung my mouth in places where a billy goat will go, ‘not today’” ([60:24]–[60:46]).
Quote:
“I have stung my mouth in places where a billy goat will go, not today, okay?... I'll flip them around and even if the asshole has that little wang to it, I'll still eat that pussy. Cause I'm a gentleman, you know what I'm saying?"
— Joey Diaz, [60:24]
On the State of Entertainment and Audience Habits
- The hosts riff on how even giants like Tosh and Cristela Alonso are returning to the road because everyone’s “chasing the same nickel.” Comedy, music, and even wrestling events are feeling the squeeze ([32:20]–[45:21]).
- They critique streaming services and the economics of Netflix, Hulu, Paramount, Amazon, and Disney+—boiling down to “get your money’s worth” and the absurdities of the entertainment market ([41:12]–[43:45]).
Anecdotes: Live Comedy’s Unpredictability
- The episode is sprinkled with Joey and Lee’s wild experiences on stage: handling hecklers, a homeless man wandering into a weed shop show ([74:50]–[76:39]), and even a guy getting a handjob from a sex worker during an open mic ([78:47]–[80:35]).
- Joey explains how a true comic learns to handle any disruption, using it as material and keeping the moment uniquely live.
Quote:
“When somebody has a fucking heart attack during your show, you gotta fuckin —”
— Joey Diaz, [78:20]
Memorable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)
- “I'm an old man... Zero fucks. I have nothing to do till January 31st in Staten Island.” — Joey Diaz, [01:17]
- “Stand up. Okay? It's a hobby now. It's not a career no more... It's just, listen, this is what's going on this month. Take it or leave, man.” — Joey Diaz, [08:35]
- “All your life, you're living to do something for somebody. And just one fucking day, that you could just go, I'm controlling my fucking realm.” — Joey Diaz, [14:00]
- “No, it's not. It's slavery. We don't work on Sunday. And the more people who do it... We're gangsters. We're fucking Catholics. We don't work Sundays.” — Joey Diaz, [23:29]
- “I have stung my mouth in places where a billy goat will go, not today.” — Joey Diaz, [60:24]
- "I'm not a sports center type of guy. I've tried watching some of those sports shows. They're God awful." — Joey Diaz, [05:50]
- “You elevate yourself. You've made a fucking decision as a man. You've made a decision as a fucking comedian.” — Joey Diaz, [27:58]
- “I'm the happiest I've ever been with standup. I made a statement to you. I looked at your face and I said, I'm a hobbyist. Stand up now. Cause it is. Because I'm not worried about Netflix. I'm not worried about getting passed at a club. I'm not worried about getting my show picked up. I'm not worried about anything. I worry about two things... saying whatever the fuck is on our mind or whatever the fuck's going on in society, and then working out once a week writing stupid shit.” — Joey Diaz, [68:53]
- “Don't ever judge. Like, I could go at the 10 year mark. I had nothing on you... But beside that, you're a cunt hair away from getting it.” — Joey Diaz, [83:33]
- “It all gets better in time. Don't put an expiration date on your fucking dream.” — Joey Diaz, [84:44]
Episode Timeline & Notable Segments
| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | [00:03] – [01:55] | Holidays, marriage anniversary, embracing time off | | [03:39] – [08:35] | The end of the “daytime neighborhood”; adapting to a quieter life | | [08:35] – [09:14] | Stand-up as a hobby, social media minimalist approach to promoting shows | | [10:25] – [13:32] | Industry slowdown post-strike, AI looming, hobbies outside comedy | | [14:00] – [19:44] | Burnout, reclaiming time, honesty about leaving the grind | | [26:53] – [29:06] | “Elevate yourself”—career boundaries for comics and advice for Lee | | [32:20] – [36:48] | Economics of the comedy business, resurgence of big-name comics on tour | | [60:24] – [62:43] | “Billy goat tongue” story: Joey and Lee swap gross-out hookup tales | | [74:25] – [84:44] | Comedy craft lessons: growing into material, using disruptive moments | | [91:23] – [92:43] | Thanksgiving plans, upcoming shows, gratitude for listeners |
Tone and Style
The podcast maintains its signature gritty, direct, and raunchy style. Joey Diaz is unfiltered, introspective with a comedic touch, dropping truth bombs and wisdom for aspiring comics. Lee Syatt complements with earnestness and quick banter, often serving as the audience surrogate navigating the comedy world.
Final Remarks
The episode oscillates between nostalgia and forward-thinking practicality, offering listeners an authentic view into the realities of stand-up life, the importance of personal boundaries, and the joy of finding one’s own pace. It's an essential listen for comedy fans, working comics, or anyone grappling with redefining success and happiness as life changes. Joey Diaz’s closing message? Be honest, let life’s weirdness be your material, and don’t put an expiration date on your dream.